Explore ways to save:

What if every California household took these actions?

In a state with as many people as California, taking even small steps to save energy can make a big difference.

Learn what the collective impact would be if every California household took these actions!

Efficient Natural Gas Furnace

If all Californians replace their old, inefficient gas furnaces with energy-efficient ones, it'll be like taking 235,000 cars off the road*.

Save approximately 5% of your monthly heating costs during winter with an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace.

Get Rebates

$200 to $300 in rebates for qualifying furnaces with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 92%.

Quick Tips

  • Replace or clean furnace filters once a month.
  • Get a furnace tune-up yearly. Professional tune-ups ensure safe and efficient operation.
  • Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted can save up to 5% on heating costs.
  • If you really want to save, purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace.

Insulate Your Walls & Attic

45% of a home's heat loss comes from inadequate insulation. Increase your home's efficiency by installing R-30 attic insulation and R-13 wall insulation. You'll save up to $17 monthly (or up to 25%) on your winter heating costs.*

Get Rebates

R-30 attic insulation and R13 wall insulation. $0.15/sq.ft. rebate.

Quick Tips

  • Recessed light fixtures can be a major source of heat loss. Don't add insulation next to a fixture unless it is marked IC - designed for direct insulation contact.
  • Window curtains and blinds are an easy way to insulate your windows.
  • Consider hiring a professional contractor for insulation upgrades.

Caulk and Seal Air Gaps

Save 5% to 30% in energy savings per year by eliminating air leaks and drafts. Keep your warm air inside. Caulking and weatherstripping may be the easiest form of sealing leaks for homeowners and tenants.

Get Assistance

Free Home Energy Audits to help you identify problem areas at home.

Quick Tips

  • Use caulk or expanding foam sealant to seal indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling.
  • Seal gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots.
  • Weatherstrip your doors and windows.
  • Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on walls.

Sealing Ducts

Studies indicate that 10% to 30% of heated or cooled air is lost – along with the money spent to heat or cool that air – through leaky ducts. Seal any leaks and save up to $13 monthly* (or 5 to 20%) on your winter heating costs.

Get Assistance

Duct Testing and Sealing. Up to $600 in rebates.

Quick Tips

  • Seal air leaks in your ducts with duct mastic or metal tape.
  • Make sure that the connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet the floors, walls and ceiling. Get a furnace tune-up yearly. Professional tune-ups ensure safe and efficient operation.
  • Weatherstrip and caulk air gaps and leaks.

Setting Your Thermostat

Lower your furnace thermostat 3 to 5 degrees (health permitting) when you're home. You can save up to $13 monthly* (or up to 20%) on winter heating costs.

Get Rebates

$200 to $300 rebate for qualifying natural gas furnaces.

Quick Tips

  • Dress for the season and wear warmer cozier clothing.
  • Turn the furnace off when you leave (or lower the thermostat to 55 degrees F to protect pipes in extreme climates).
  • Check the programs on your thermostat and refer to the manual.

Efficient Water Heater

If all Californians replace their old, inefficient water heaters with energy-efficient ones, it'll be like taking 92,000 cars off the road*.

Save up to 10% on your water heating costs with an energy-efficient water heater.

Get Rebates

Qualifying water heaters with an "Energy Factor" (EF) rating of .62 or higher. $30 rebate.

Quick Tips

  • If you own an older water heater, insulate it with a water heater blanket.
  • Reduce the amount of hot water used by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
  • When you plan to be away from home for three or more days, turn the water heater thermostat down to the lowest setting, or turn the heater off completely.

Efficient Clothes Washer

If all Californians replaced their old, inefficient clothes washers with energy-efficient ones, it'd be like taking 30,185 cars off the road*.

Energy-efficient clothes washers use up to 35 to 50% less water and up to 50% less energy per load. Did you know about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water?

Get Rebates

Qualifying clothes washers. $35 to $75 rebate.

Quick Tips

  • Use "cold/cold" water temperature settings for most loads. Save up to 10% on water heating costs by washing and rinsing your clothes in cold water.
  • Use the load selector to match water level to size of load. (If no selector then only do full loads.) Pre-soak heavily soiled items. Always use minimum amount of detergent.
  • Select a laundry detergent formulated to clean effectively in cold water.

Efficient Dishwasher

If all Californians replaced their old, inefficient dishwashers with energy-efficient ones, it'd be like taking 62,103 cars off the road*.

Get Rebates

Qualifying dishwashers with an Energy Factor (EF) of .65 or greater. $30 to $50 rebate.

Quick Tips

  • If your dishwasher has an "air-dry" setting, use it instead of the "heat-dry" setting. You will cut the dishwasher's energy use 15% to 50%.
  • Run the dishwasher only when fully loaded.
  • Scrape, don't rinse, dishes before loading the dishwasher. Pre-rinsing can use up to 20 gallons of water.

Keep Your Winter Energy Bill in Check

Stay warm and save money this winter. Start with an energy audit and work through the free and low-cost tips. Investing in energy-efficiency upgrades will save you money in the long-term.

Winterizing your home is straightforward. Learn more.

Energy Audit video clip

Save a bundle – Do a Home Energy Audit

Do you know where in your house money and energy are going to waste? Take a FREE energy audit and find out how you can help fight global warming at home while saving money on your utility bill.

Do it yourself or hire a professional. Learn more.